How to Clip Chicken Wings

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Clipping the wings of your chickens is a good way to give them some free range without having to worry about them flying off. It's a simple and pain-free procedure. Read the following easy steps to learn how to clip your chickens' wings.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. They're quick little things, so this is easier said than done. If your chickens are in a pen, it helps to have a partner to corner the chicken and catch it. Consider using a box to enclose the chicken quickly.
    • If the chicken starts flapping its wings, gently hold them down with your hands, pressing them against her body, until the chicken calms down some.
    • During the procedure, be careful of their claws and beak. Use two hands to hold them them by the breast with their legs tucked back and their wings secured. This usually makes them go fairly docile, making them easy to manage.
  2. Flight feathers are the longest wing feathers, and look the most like the traditional "feather" you might see in a picture or drawing. They're also sometimes a slightly different color than the other feathers. The feathers you'll clip are the first ten, which are the longest feathers and are used for taking off. [1]
    • It helps to have a partner hold while you clip, or vice versa.
  3. Clip about halfway between the tip and the quick. If you aim for the halfway point of the feather, you won't even be close to hurting the chicken but will take enough of the feather off to make it difficult for the chicken to fly. In general, you don't need to remove more than 6 centimeter (2.4 in) of the feathers. You want to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for the chicken, so take off as little as possible.
    • Either wing is fine to clip, but only clip one. This will throw the chicken's take-off off balance, keeping them flightless. A strong chicken could take off with symmetrical wings, even shortened.
    • If you want to clip the feathers shorter, hold the wing up to the light so you can see how far the blood vessels start toward the quick. Clip just above that point to remove most of the flight feathers.
  4. Sometimes, the clipped feathers won't molt as easily and you'll need to help them along slightly. Repeat the procedure of catching the chicken and work the feathers out gently with your fingers if the chicken seems to be having trouble molting them.
    • Re-clip the wings in the same process after the chicken has finished molting.


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How high can chickens jump up after clipping a wing?
    Community Answer
    A chicken can jump about two feet.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
  • Question
    What is the best mild soap available in UK to use on my hens?
    Community Answer
    Washing/cleansing your chickens is not necessary at all if they live outdoors or have regular access to a dusty/dirty area. Chickens "dust bathe", aka rolling around in the dirt to get it under their wings and feathers. This may seem gross, but it is their natural way of ridding themselves of parasites and other harmful things they may have accumulated.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      Other wikiHows

      How to
      Breed Chickens
      How to
      Catch a Chicken
      How to
      Build a Chicken Coop
      How to
      Get Effects on Snapchat
      How to
      Relieve & Prevent Headaches & Migraines Fast
      How to
      Quickly and Easily Unclog a Toilet
      How to
      Use Uber for the First Time: Complete Beginner's Guide
      How to
      Take a Screenshot on a Windows PC: 8 Simple Tricks
      A Complete Guide to French Braiding Hair
      How to
      Play Poker
      How to
      Take Care of Potted Orchids
      How to
      Make a Piñata
      How to
      Make Guacamole
      How to
      Meditate

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-clip-trim-the-wings-of-your-chicken-to-prevent-flight

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clip chicken wings, start by gently stretching out one of the chicken's wings to expose the flight feathers, which are the longest feathers on the wing. Then, simply clip 2 1/2 inches off the first 10 flight feathers with sharp shears. Don't clip the feathers shorter than that or you could injure your chicken. Also, don't worry about clipping its other wing, since clipping one will be enough to keep it from flying. To learn how to help your chicken shed its clipped wings when it's molting, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 23,531 times.

      Did this article help you?